Multiple web feeding system



E. COHN ETAL 3,265,271

MULTIPLE WEB FEEDING SYSTEM Aug. 9, 1966 Filed March 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (I80 IIIHHIH" 35 will! FIG. 3

INVENTORS EUGENE COHN FRANK CATALLO BY SARGENT P SNYDER ATTOR N EYS Aug. 9, 1966 E. COHN ETAL 3,265,271

MULTIPLE WEB FEEDING SYSTEM Filed March 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTORS EUGEN E COH N FRANK CATALLO SARGENT P SNYDER WM "(z $4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,265,271 MULTHPLE WEB FEEDTNG SYSTEM Eugene Qohn, Great Neck, Frank Qatallo, Eianont, and

Sargent P. Snyder, Springfield Gardens, N.Y-, assignors to Samcoe Holding Corporation, Woodside, NY a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 349,362 7 Claims. (Cl. 226-177) The present invention relates to the handling of webs, particularly fabrics, and is directed more specifically to improved and simplified facilities for handling one or a plurality of webs in a manner to provide independent feeding tension control for each web.

One of the illustrative and particularly advantageous applications of the system of the invention resides in the handling of tubular knitted fabrics. By way of specific example, in the processing of tubular knitted fabrics it is often desirable and advantageous to provide for the simultaneous processing of one or several webs of fabric in sideby-side relation. In such cases, the maintenance of proper fabric tensions may present a significant problem, because of the easy distortability of the knitted fabric and because of the likelihood that some webs will distend differently than others. The present invention is directed to a highly simplified, economical and substantially foolproof mechanism which enables a number of fabric webs to be handled simultaneously in a manner to provide each automatically with desired independent tension control. At the same time, the system of the invention is completely flexible as regards the number of webs to be handled thereby, which may readily be varied between one and the maximum number to be accommodated.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a novel multiple web feeding system is provided in which a pair of draw rollers are journaled for independent rotation on a single shaft which in turn is independently and resiliently supported at its opposite ends. The independent but coaxial draw rollers are engaged in nonpositive frictional driving contact with constant speed drive rollers located at opposite ends of the drive roll assembly, the individual draw rollers being urged into frictional driving relationship by suitable, independently adjustable spring means. In conjunction with the foregoing, means are provided for guiding webs of fabric about the draw rollers in such a way that tension force components applied to the draw rollers by the respective webs act against the resilient means, tending to urge the draw rollers away from the drive rollers, until a desired speed relationship is established. In accordance with the invention, the tension forces applied by one web are effective only with respect to the draw roller for that web, by reason of the independent, resilient support of the coaxial roller assembly at each end.

In a specific, advantageous form of the invention, the coaxial draw rollers are supported at the ends of pivotally mounted lever arms for independent, limited, swinging movement, and the individual levers at each end are acted upon by adjustable springs. By appropriate adjustment of the springs at each end, the tension in the individual webs advanced by the draw rollers may be accurately controlled.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a fabric treating installation incorporating the multiple web feeding system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2.

Patented August: 9, 1966 Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates generally a machine frame srtucture, which is mounted on or in relation to a supply source of webs to be handled. In the specific illustration, the system is intended for the handling of one to four webs of tubular knitted fabric, and the frame structure .10 may typically be associated with fabric dryers such as those represented by the S. Cohn et a1. United States Patents Nos. 3,065,551 and 3,102,006, owned by assignee of the present application. The frame structure 10 includes horizontal frame members 11 on which are mounted opposed pairs of journal blocks 14 15 and 16, 17.

As illustrated best in FIG. 2, the first pair of journal blocks 14, 15 support .a pair of lever arms 18, 19, while the second pair of journal blocks 16, 17 support lever arms 20, 21. At the forward ends of the lever arms 1821 there are provided swivel supports 22, which are arranged for limited rotation about the respective axes of the levers 18-21, for reasons to be described.

Extending between the swivel supports 22 carried by the first pair of levers 18, 19 is a first draw roll shaft 23, which is advantageously fixed at each end in its supporting swivels. A second draw roll shaft 24 is secured at each end in the swivels 22 attached to the second pair of supporting levers 20, 21. The arrangement of swivels 22 with respect to their supporting lever arms is such as to accommodate limited independent pivotal movement of the lever arms 18, 19 or 20, 21 of a pair without bending or otherwise distorting the draw roller shafts 23, 24 or the supporting levers.

Journaled on the first draw roller shaft 23 are draw rollers 25, 26 comprising a first coaxial pair. Each of the draw rollers is supported for free, independent rotation on the draw roller shaft, advantageously by means of internal hollow shaft means 27 and appropriate bearings (not shown). A similar coaxial draw roller pair, comprising individual, independently rotatable draw rollers 28, 29 is carried by the second draw roller shaft 24.

In accordance'with the invention, the respective supporting levers 18-21 include actuating arm portions 18a 21a. These are connected through individual threaded control shafts 30 and individual springs 31 to brackets 32 on the machine frame. Individual hand wheels 34 on the threaded control shafts enable the shafts to be adjusted, through threaded connections 35 to the actuating arms 18a-21a, to vary the initial compression forces in the in dividual springs 31. Thus, each end of each of the draw roller assemblies is provided with an individual adjusting facility comprising a threaded control shaft 30 and spring 31.

in the form of the invention specifically illustrated in FIG. 2, different drive arrangements are shown at opposite ends of the draw roller assemblies, although it will be understood that in a more typical actual embodiment of the invention the drive arrangement would be identical at each end. In the illustrated system, a single grooved drive roller 3a is provided for engagement with flange portions 37, 38 disposed at the outer end extremities of the draw rollers 26, 29. The drive roller 36 is adapted to have simultaneous driving engagement with the flanges 3'7, 38 and is supported for rotation on the machine frame by journal brackets 39. The drive roller 36 is driven by means of a chain 4d and sprockets 41, 42 from a drive shaft 43 operated by a main drive chain 44 at the opposite side of the machine. Advantageously, the chain 44 is driven in a predetermined speed relationship with preceding equipment, such as a fabric dryer.

At the opposite ends of the draw roller assemblies, the illustrated apparatus includes a pair of individual grooved drive rollers 45, 46 which cooperate with flanged outer end portions 47, 48 of the draw rollers 25, 28. The drive rollers 45, 46 may advantageously be disposed substantially directly above the flange portions 47, 48 in an installation in which the lever arms 18, are disposed at a low angle to the horizontal. Advantageously, the individual drive rollers 45, 46 are secured to the machine frame by journal blocks 49, 50 and are connected for rotation in unison by a synchronizing chain 51 and synchronizing sprockets 52, 53. The drive input for the rollers 45, 46 is through a chain 54 connected at one end to a sprocket 55 attached to the drive roller 46 and at its other end to a sprocket 56 attached to the shaft 43, the arrangement being such that all of the drive rollers 45, 46 and 36 operate in unison.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surfaces of the draw rollers 29 advantageously are covered with a layer 57 (FIG. 3) of material, such as felt, which has advantageous frictional gripping characteristics with the web material to be handled, typically, but not necessarily, tubular knitted fabric.

In the operation of the illustrated system, as many as four individual Webs, designated by the letters A, B, C, and D, in FIG. 2, are directed from the preceding equipment (e.g., a fabric dryer), over a guide roller 58, and upward and about the top portions of the respective draw rollers 25-29. Specifically, the web A is passed over and in contact with the surface of the draw roller 26 and downward between the draw roller assemblies. The web B is directed upwardly between the draw rollers 26, 29 and around and in contact with the draw roller 29. The web C is passed over and in cont-act with the draw roller 25 and then between the rollers 25, 28. The web D is directed first between the last-mentioned draw rollers and then over and in contact with the draw roller 28.

When the apparatus is set in operation, the webs AD will be fed at a predetermined speed from the preceding equipment. Particularly, in the case of the handling of tubular knitted fabric, where the fabric has been passed through a dryer according to the S. Cohn et a1. Patent No. 3,102,006, some reduction in fabric length may have occurred during drying so that the effective delivery rates of the respective webs may differ slightly. Nominally, the respective draw rollers will be driven at predetermined uniform speeds determined by the synchronously rotating drive rollers 45, 46, and 36 and calculated to be synchronous with the output of the preceding equipment. The respective drive rollers thus will draw the fabric webs upward from the dryer and typically discharge them downward into an apparatus such as a horizontal plane folder of the type illustrated in the E. Cohn et al. Patent No. 2,761,678. Assuming, for example, that the effective delivery speed of the web A from the dryer was somewhat less than a nominal predetermined rate, the tendency of the draw roller 26 to advance the fabric at that rate would cause tensions to be introduced in the fabric. These tension forces, when exerted upon the draw roller, will urge the draw roller downwardly, tending to pivot the supporting lever 19 against the action of its individual adjusting spring. This permits a certain amount of slippage to occur between the grooved drive roller 36 and the flanged end portion 37 of the draw roller so that the speed of the draw roller automatically is reduced. The arrangement is such that a certain predetermined tension level is established in the incoming fabric web A, and the level of that tension may be controlled individually by manipulation of the hand wheel 34 and threaded shaft associated with the lever arm 19a. As a significant aspect of the invention, the downward motion of the draw roller 26 is accommodated without affecting the relationship between the other draw roller 25 of the coaxial assembly and its drive roller 45, since the opposite end of the assembly is permitted to swivel about the supporting lever 18 without significantly affecting the relative positions of the drive roller and the driven flange portion 47. Similarly, self-adjusting movements of the draw roller 26 do not affect the speed relationship between the draw 4 roller 29 and the common drive roller 36, because the latter is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis.

In the event that the web D, for example, tends to advance at less than the nominal predetermined speed, the tension forces induced in the fabric web by the drawing action of the roller 23 will tend to draw the roller downward, swinging the supporting lever 20 about its pivot axis against the resisting action of the spring 31 associated with its lever arm 2011. This action accommodates the necessary slippage between the drive roller 46 and the flange 48 and serves to maintain a predetermined fabric tension, as determined by the adjusted setting of the appropriate hand wheel 34. Such downward adjusting movement of the draw roller 28, as caused by the fabric web D, would have no significant effect on the drive relationship between the roller 36 and flange 38 at the opposite end of the assembly, because of the swivel accommodation afforded by the swivel element 22 and the lever 21.

As will be understood, the various swivel elements 22 are located in close proximity to the respective drive rollers 45, 46, and 36 so that pivoting action of a draw roller assembly caused by fabric tension forces applied to the other end of the assembly can be accommodated without having significant effect on driving relationships at the first end. However, it will be understood that any variations in fabric tension, from whatever cause, will be corrected by the self-adjustment features afforded by the invention.

The system of the invention is particularly advantageous in that it accommodates the handling of a large number of webs on an individual basis, without requiring complex individual speed adjustments. Rather, the arrangement utilizes a single speed drive input to operate the various drive rollers, and the tensions in the individual webs are employed to etfect automatic adjustment of the driving relationship between the draw rollers and their respective drive rollers. The system of the present invention incorporates significant novelty in the concept of mounting a pair of draw rollers in coaxial relationship on a single shaft, and mounting the shaft for independent movement at its opposite ends, whereby automatic speed regulating adjustment may be made at one end of the assembly without affecting speed relationships at the other end.

The system of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in connection with the treatment of tubular knitted fabrics, for example, where a plurality of fabric webs are being advanced from a fabric dryer to a subsequent equipment, such as a folder. In such a case, the individual fabric webs passing through the dryer may be subjected to varying rates of length shrinkage, for example, so that the webs emerge from the drying equipment at different speeds, requiring somewhat different handling. The system of the present invention, while extremely simplified and relatively foolproof, enables a plurality of such webs to be handled in close, side-byside relationship, with automatic speed and tension adjustment being provided for each web of a pair by a single draw roller assembly.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the treatment and handling of tubular knitted or other fabrics, but may be applicable to other web materials as well.

Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein is intended to be representative only, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple web feeding system comprising (a) a draw roller assembly including a pair of relatively elongated draw rollers mounted in coaxial relation for independent rotation,

(b) first and second drive rollers positioned to engage relatively limited axial areas of the respective draw rollers adjacent their outer end extremities,

(c) resilient means for independently supporting the outer ends of the draw roller assembly,

(d) the resilient supporting means being operative normally to urge said draw rollers into friction driving engagement with their respective drive rollers, and

(e) means for guiding a web about each of the respective draw rollers whereby tensions in the web act individually upon said draw rollers to urge them away from their respective drive rollers,

(f) said resilient supporting means accommodating tilting of the axis of the draw rollers, whereby the driving relationship of one draw roller is not significantly affected by a change in the driving relationship of the other draw roller.

2. The multiple web feeding system of claim 1, in which (a) said resilient supporting means comprise pivotally mounted lever arms,

(h) each of said lever arms being connected at one end to the draw roller assembly and at its other end to a spring, and

(c) means are provided for independently adjusting said springs.

3. A multiple web feeding system comprising (a) a relatively elongated draw roller shaft,

(b) a pair of relatively elongated draw rollers mounted coaxiarlly and for independent rotation on said shaft,

(c) a pair of spaced drive rollers positioned for driving engagement with outer end areas of relatively limited axial extent of the respective draw rollers,

(d) drive means for operating said drive rollers in predetermined speed relation,

(e) means for urging outer end areas of the respective draw rollers independently toward their respective drive rollers, and

(f) means for guiding individual webs about the respective draw rollers, whereby web tensions are operative to urge the draw rollers individually away from their respective drive rollers,

(g) said means for urging outer end areas of the respective draw rollers accommodating tilting of the axis of the draw rollers, whereby the driving relationship of one draw roller is not significantly affected by a change in the driving relationship of the other draw roller.

4. The multiple web feeding system of claim 3, in

which (a) said means for urging the draw rollers toward their respective drive rollers comprises individually adjustable means acting upon opposite end portions of said draw roller shaft.

5. The multiple web feeding system of claim 4, in

which (a) said means for urging comprises pivotally mounted lever arms engaging opposite ends of said shaft and acted upon by adjustable springs.

6. A fabric feeding system comprising (a) a relatively elongated draw roller having a surface suitable for frictional driving engagement with a web of fabric,

(b) means rotatably supporting one end of the draw roller,

(c) means supporting the other end of said draw roller for resilient movement in a predetermined path generally transverse to the axis of the roller,

(d) a drive roller mounted for effectively non-positive frictional driving engagement with a relatively limited axial area of said draw roller at its said other end,

(e) resilient means urging the said other end of said roller toward said drive roller, and

(f) means for guiding a fabric web to and about said draw roller about an area thereof spaced from said limited axial area and in a manner whereby an effective component of the forces exerted upon said draw roller as a result of tensions applied thereby to the fabric web acts to urge the draw roller against said resilient means away from said drive roller,

(g) the arrangement being such that the effective driving friction between said drive and draw rollers is an inverse function of tensions in said fabric,

(h) said means rotatably supporting the said one end and said resilient means accommodating movement of the said other end relative to the said one end, whereby to affect tilting movements of said draw roller while effecting variations in said non-positive driving engagement.

'7. A multiple web feeding system comprising (a) at least two draw roller assemblies for the accommodation of more than two webs,

(b) each of said draw roller assemblies including a pair of draw rollers mounted in coaxial relation for independent rotation,

(-c) a pair of said draw roller assemblies being mounted in adjacent, parallel relation,

(d) first and second drive roller means positioned adjacent the outer ends of said draw roller assemblies and arranged to engage the respective draw rollers,

(e) a single drive roller being positioned to engage a draw roller from each pair,

(f) resilient means for supporting the draw roller assemblies independently adjacent their outer ends, (g) the resilient supporting means being operative normally to urge said draw rollers into friction driving engagement with their respective drive rollers, and

(h) means for guiding a web about each of the respective draw rollers whereby tensions in the web act individually upon said draw rollers to urge them away from their respective drive rollers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,280,608 10/1918 Wilcomb 66--152 1,346,136 7/1920 Schwab 66152 2,153,552 4/1939 Eitzen 226-35 X 2,838,250 6/1958 Slavrakis et al 226-495 X 2,990,989 7/1961 Carlsen 226-35 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

A. N. KNOWLES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE WEB FEEDING SYSTEM COMPRISING (A) A DRAW ROLLER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PAIR OF RELATIVELY ELONGATED DRAW ROLLERS MOUNTED IN COAXIAL RELATION FOR INDEPENDENT ROTATION, (B) FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE ROLLERS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE RELATIVELY LIMITED AXIAL AREAS OF THE RESPECTIVE DRAW ROLLERS ADJACENT THEIR OUTER END ASSEMBLY, (C) RESILIENT MEANS FOR INDEPENDENTLY SUPPORTING THE OUTER ENDS OF THE DRAW ROLLER ASSEMBLY, (D) THE RESILIENT SUPPORTING MEANS BEING OPERATIVE NORMALLY TO URGE SAID DRAW ROLLERS INTO FRICTION DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE DRIVE ROLLERS, AND (E) MEANS FOR GUIDING A WEB ABOUT EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE DRAW ROLLERS WHEREBY TENSIONS IN THE WEB ACT INDIVIDUALLY UPON SAID DRAW ROLLERS TO URGE THEM AWAY FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE DRIVE ROLLERS, 